Docking device



March 15, 1932.

G. S. PHILLIPS ET AL DOCKING DEVICE Filed March 18, 1930 Ill/11101111Patented Mar. 15, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GEORGE SAMUELPHILLIPS, OF KAITOKE, AND MALCOLM JOHN JACKSON, 01' GREYTOWN, NEWZEALAND DO GKING DEVICE Application filed March 18, 1930, Serial No.436,881, and in New Zealand January 16, 1930.

This invention relates to docking devices which also act as searingirons and which are chiefly employed for severing the tails of lambs.

The object of the present invention is to provide the required heat tothe device by means of an electric current from a suitable source, suchas a battery or the like.

According to the present invention, a body portion is formed having acutting edge and searing surfaces and within this body a heating elementis placed so as to carry the heat as near as possible to the cuttingedge and searing surfaces, the element being insulated 15 from the metaland having conductors which lead to a suitable plug for connection to anelectrical supply.

The invention will be described with the aid of the accompanyingdrawings, wherein Figure 1 is a side view of the device.

Figure 2 is a cross section through the out ting and searing end of thedevice.

Figure 3 is a plan partly in section.

Figure 4 is a cross section showing brands fitted to the end.

Figure 5 is a view of an alternative method of mounting the device.

Referring to the drawings, the body por- 30 tion 1, hereinafter calledthe searing iron,

has a cutting edge 2 formed by a cutting plate 3 placed on the slopingend of the iron. The

body portion is formed hollow and closed by the cutting plate 3 which issecured by screws 4. The interior of the iron receives the heatingelement 5 which may be a usual resistance 6 and insulated from the metalof the iron by insulation, such as mica plates 7, the heating wiresbeing wound upon a mica frame in a well known manner. The element isplaced upon a plate 9 which may be integral with the body or removabletherefrom and the cutting plate placed thereon, thereby retaining theelement close against the surface to be heated. The ends 10 of theresistance may be insulated with porcelain beads 11 and lead toterminals 12 carried by an insulation piece 13. To these terminals areconnected the conductors 14 which may lead through the 50 hollow handle15 to a suitable electrical connection. If desired, a switch of usualconstruction may be placed above the handle for switching on or off thecurrent while the device is being held.

In Figure 4, the iron is shown with a base plate 16, on which a plate 17may have letters or devices secured thereto for the purpose of brandinganimals.

In Figure 5, is shown an alternative method of mounting the iron upon ahandle. In this case, the body 1 is attached to a horizontally disposedhandle 18 such handle being pivoted at 19 to a bar 20 carrying a plate21 against which the searing iron closes. The bar may have holes inorder that it may be nailed or screwed to a simple frame, block or thelike, as 22, while a spring 23 between the two hinged parts normallyretains such parts away from each other, the iron in this case having anelement placed therein in a manner as described in Figures 2 and 3.

\Vhat we claim is A device of the class described comprising a hollowbody having a beveled open end, a cutting plate closing the open end, aplate within the body spaced from the cutting plate,

a heating element in the space between said plates, a handle for thebody, a plate of insulating material, securing devices for holding theinsulating plate clamped between the 36 body and handle, electricalconductors leading to the insulating plate and in circuit with conduitsleading therefrom to the heating ele' ment.

In testimony whereof, we have signed our names to this specificatlon.

GEORGE SAMUEL PHILLIPS. MALCOLM JOHN JACKSON.

